| AGMA-AZ Presents BACKSTAGE AT THE OPERA Arizona Opera Chorus and Orchestra in the Spotlight The Arizona chapter of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA-AZ) announces the fifth annual "Backstage at the Opera" fundraising concert to benefit Arizona Opera. This year, members of the Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association (AZOOMA) will be joining members of the Arizona Opera Chorus to perform music from the operatic, classical and Broadway repertoire. This Gala evening will feature chamber music, solo arias, and ensemble choruses performed by some of our state's most talented artists – all members of the Arizona Opera Chorus and Orchestra. The evening will begin with a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, followed by a performance featuring a variety of opera scenes and instrumental selections from both the great composers and Broadway classics (including Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville, Cosi fan Tutte, Candide and Sweeney Todd, among others). The evening also includes an intermission dessert buffet. A portion of the proceeds from this evening of music will be donated to Arizona Opera's general operating fund. Over the past four years, AGMA-AZ has raised over $10,000 for Arizona Opera through the Backstage at the Opera concerts. The concerts also provide an opportunity for the members of the chorus and orchestra to perform, share their professional artistry and allow the community to see and hear them in a completely different artistic setting. Backstage at the Opera will perform in Tucson on Saturday, May 30th at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 South Scott Ave. In Phoenix, the performance will take place on Saturday, June 6th, at the Phoenix Boys Choir facility at 1131 East Missouri. The pre-show reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased for $35 each by calling (520) 742-3942 in Tucson and (602) 999-0456 in Phoenix. Tickets will be available at the performance for $40. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) - Arizona In 1994, members of the Arizona Opera Chorus completed a collective bargaining agreement between the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the Arizona Opera Company. AGMA, a leading arts union, represents soloists, choristers, dancers, choreographers, stage managers and stage directors. The union guarantees salaries, rehearsal and overtime pay, regulated work hours and protection of legal and contractual rights. AGMA Arizona members recently expanded the coverage of the collective bargaining agreement with Arizona Opera to include principal singers in supporting and solo bit roles. In 2005, AGMA Arizona began organizing fundraising concerts to raise funds for Arizona Opera. It remains the only opera chorus in the country represented by AGMA National that actively and independently organizes concerts to raise funds for their opera company. Since 2005, $10,800 has been donated by AGMA Arizona to Arizona Opera from the proceeds of these concerts. | 
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